Cameron ‘split unionist parties’

NATIONALISTS branded the UK government’s handling of the referendum as “disastrous” yesterday after it emerged David Cameron has ruled out more tax raising powers for Holyrood.

The issue would be at the heart of a proposed second referendum question on more powers for Holyrood, but sources close to the Prime Minister insisted at the weekend that Scots must back independence if they want full fiscal separation from Westminster.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson, convener of Holyrood’s finance committee, said the latest intervention had split the anti- independence parties and raised questions over Mr Cameron’s “respect agenda” for Scotland.

“Once more we are getting conflicting messages from the anti-independence camp,” Mr Gibson said. “David Cameron’s sources have not only split the anti-independence camp, but opens up questions about his party’s coalition with the Lib Dems who claim they want more devolution of tax powers.”

First Minister Alex Salmond and Mr Cameron have clashed over the poll, with the coalition claiming only Westminster had the legal right to stage such a vote. Westminster is prepared to transfer the authority to Holyrood, but stumbling blocks remain over SNP plans to extend the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds, and the possibility of a second question on more powers.

Mr Gibson added: “Whatever happened to David Cameron’s ‘respect agenda’? These comments do not show respect for those who wish to see an extension of the Scottish Parliament’s responsibilities.”

But Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said the debate had been “mischaracterised” as independence against devolution.

She said: “If there is to be a subsequent conversation about what form we want devolution to take, that’s for after this referendum on whether we want to be part of the United Kingdom.”